The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power competition in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
